Hello hello!
My sincere apoplexies for not writing sooner to let you know how I did since climbing back into the groove of things at the end of August of last year.
Late last summer, I made the decision to make better food choices, to nail down food intolerances and to limit those foods, to try a “less than perfect” ketogenic (low carb) diet, and to do my best to make better food choices (it’s a journey, you know).
So how did it go?
Swimmingly.
I am pleased to report that after 6 months of effort (some of it good, and some of it…well, let’s say there were a few granola moments), I have lost…
Bum ba da dum dum dum dummmmmmmmm…
*that’s my high tech drumroll*
90 pounds.
That is right! In your face, abdomen! Up your butt, thighs! In your ear, rear!
Ninety pounds, people! I am this close to being 100 pounds down (since beginning this post, I’ve lost a couple more), and I’ve done it my way, baby. My way. I’m eating my recipes (as if you ever doubted), doing hardly any exercise (I don’t want to spill my drink), and by being accountable to you and to me. And to these slimmer clothes (wearing tighter clothes reminds me why I’m doing this–at least partially).
I am keeping tabs in MyFitnessPal almost daily to check on what I’m doing (I also use the software to calculate recipe totals). I am still sticking to roughly 1200-1500 calories most days, eating when hungry and not eating when not hungry (which translates to 1-3 meals per day, depending). I put my recipes in there and can gab totals for servings, so I always know just how I’m doing.
The FAQ Section under “About” has more information about what’s working for me.
Speaking of accountability, don’t forget to keep your information updated in our weekly Spring into Summer Challenge! Checking in and knowing others are there with you cheering you on really makes a difference.
How are you doing? Chime in below in comments and let me know. I love comments more than just about anything else, so drop in and say hey!
Congratulations! That’s amazing! That shows true hard work and diligence, keep it up chica!
It really wasn’t that hard as soon as I got into the rhythm of it. And, as always, it’s nice to love what I’m cooking. To be able to eat what I love and drop 90 pounds (and I didn’t even stay low-carb all of the time), it’s pretty phenomenal!
Jamie………..I AM SO PROUD OF YOU IN COULD POP
HONEY you have done fantastic……….we all have.. i have done well myself and you are a part of that process……………I ALWAYS SAY ONCE YOU……WRAP YOUR HEAD AROUND THE FACT……WHITE AINT RIGHT… and it is poison to the body it just falls off…..
sending many hugs to you
sheila in ga
Thank you so much, Sheila!
I second that, I am soo proud of you, 90 lbs in 6 months! Congratulations, you are an inspiration.
Thank you so much, Joi!
Great job! You are an inspiration – love your posts and recipes and ideas and give aways… okay, sounds a little stalkerish so I will end there. Congrats on your success!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your support. I feel amazing.
Great job! I love your blog. I have been doing low carb for about a year and have lost about 35 pounds. I would love to lose about 14-20 more pounds, but am also trying to develop a lifestyle of smart food choices and trying not to use the word diet. Wishes for continued success for you and all your followers.
Thanks so much–and congratulations on your losses, too. I am so proud of you!
That’s a big success!! Where’s the pix??? I’ve been bag in the saddle for a month now, very faithful to near induction carb intake without much results. I know how this works, so I’m waiting for the whoosh. At least I’m not grouchy and starving in the meantime. Thanks for asking! I’m so happy for you.
The pics will come when I lose a little more weight. And then there’ll be so many, you’ll likely wish I hasn’t started posting them at all.
I appreciated what you said, Loree, about being near induction but without much results, and waiting for the whoosh. Not grouchy or starving in the mean time —- I can so relate to that! Thanks for leaving your comment. It was really encouraging. 🙂
I’ve read about “the whoosh” in many places in reference to low carb weight loss. I’ve been eating Primal for about 25 months and reached my weight goal about 2 weeks ago. I still don’t know what “the whoosh” is. Please enlighten me.
Hi! The whoosh is when you expel a lot of water weight over a short period of time (typically in less than a day) for a decent, seemingly immediate, substantial weight loss, typically after a stall.
Thanks so much for clearing that up. I’ve noticed around once a week or a little longer, I’ll spend a pesky 24 hours peeing. About every 45 minutes to an hour. I never made the connection that the weight stall might be me retaining water and then it “whooshes” out, until one morning after an all night potty party I stepped on the scale and had dropped a couple of pounds.
Yeah. It’s one of those things that seems to be weird. A lot of times another sign of an impending “whoosh” is when skin gets what I call “flobbery.” It’s looser and feels less “full”. The body was hanging onto water in lieu of the fat. Once your body decides it means business, it sends the h2o packing!
Go YOU! Does that mean you are almost to your goal?!?!?
Not yet, no. But I am so so much closer!
Way.to.go!!! That is incredible! How many carbs did you eat per day? I am still trying to find my happy number. Thanks for all the work you do on your blog! I love it!
Hi, Misti! I posted everything to my FAQ for quick, easy reference: https://yourlighterside.com/questions-frequently-asked-or-qfa/
I hope it helps! It should answer even more than you wanted to know.
Thanks Jamie! I will check it out.
Congrats Jamie! That is awesome!!!
Thank you!
You rock, girlfriend and you have inspired me!
Thanks so much!
Good job with losing 90 lbs! My husband and myself have both lost over a hundred pounds and it has slowed a little for both of us. I am struggling with the decision of counting calories while doing low carb. It is hard to keep the fat intake up and carbs and calories low. Should I even worry about calories?
Hi, Jen! Definitely at least look at the caloric intake on a daily basis. As well, the closer you are to goal, the more you’ll slow. There are weight setpoints along the way. Chances are, you’re about to hit one (or already have). Treat this time as a mini maintenance period and keep on keeping on! Sometimes, too, I find (for me only), eating an off-plan meal of carbier foods to which I’m not allergic helps keep things moving in a positive direction.
Oh, and congratulations on your amazing losses! You guys rock!
Thankyou! Blogs like yours have made it a lot easier.
That is great!! How many carbs do you try to stay under daily?
I just saw your reply above! sorry!
Love your blog! Saw the Spring into Summer Challenge today and decided to go for it. I’ve done well in the past but got off track for the last year or more, reverting to my old ways (too much drama, finding better ways of coping now). I’ve really needed a push, and accountability helps! Thank you for all your hard work, great recipes, and great writing!
I am so glad I can help–and thanks so much for your kind words!
That is wonderful! I appreciate your blog so much and I am always finding great recipes to try here! In fact, I just tried my hand at fried cheese the other day and it was divine. 🙂 Keep up the great work and thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us.
You are so sweet! Thanks so much for your kindness.
And a big Congratulations! Wishing you continued fabulous success!
Hi Loree, I was curious about your statement that you had been to near induction without much results and waiting for the whoosh. I am new to this and 2 months ago I started the diet, lost 7 pounds then stopped. Nothing for 3 weeks, so then I just quit. Started again today. Any words of wisdom would help. Thank you
Wow! I am very pleased for you….. that’s an amazing loss on that amount of calories! I have to be on around 550 to lose that amount of weight….. you have given me incentive tho! Lovely to read this post…. thank you!
Thanks so much for your kind words. I don’t know why I lose more with more calories and more “off plan” meals, but wow. This was so much nicer, I will say that!
Congratulations! You are an inspiration!
Thank you so much, Charli! I really appreciate it.
Fantastic! Thanks for updating us. I started doing a similar version of what you’re doing after my second baby was born in May. As of today, I’m down 65 pounds! Still a few to go, and then to nail this maintenance thing, but your midyear challenge arrived at just the right time to keep me motivated last fall. Thank you!
Way to go on your tremendous success, Kendra! I am so excited!
Wow Jamie thats fantastic well done hun!!! Xx
Thanks so much, Laura! I appreciate it.
90 pounds!?! Goodness, Jamie, you’ve lost a whole person! 🙂 No wonder you feel amazing! I don’t have much to add, except that I echo the sentiments expressed above – you rock, Kiddo – keep up the good work!
Thank you, Mary. I appreciate the woohoos!
Congrats! Love all your recipes. Thanks for all that you do!
.
Thank you so much, Renee!
“I don’t want to spill my drink” – You are hilarious!!! Congrats on the amazing progress you’ve made. And I LOVE that you’re doing it YOUR way! Thanks for being an inspiration!
Thank you so much for your support, Emma! *toasting your comment*
Dear sweet Jamie,
I can only think of one thing to say…
GO SHOPPING…and HAVE A BLAST!!!!
Warmest regards,
Glad
I have definitely had to score some new threads. I’m down quite a few dress sizes…
Congrats Jaimie on your awesome success!……..Like you I am doing things ‘My Way’ and the weight is coming off slowly but surely! The ‘All or Nothing’ ” me is gradually learning that a ‘Compromising Me’ is also an option. It is truly a learning experience for me and I am learning to enjoy the journey 🙂
I like the journey, too. I don’t always love it, but I like it. Way to go on your successes, too!
You’re so awesome, Jamie. 🙂 Congratulations on the weight loss!
Thank you very much. I am pretty excited.
That is absolutely awesome!! I am inspired!!
Thanks so much!
It’s incredible that you have do so well! You truly are an inspiration, showing people that it can be done and you can eat yummy food on the way.
Thank you so much! It’s so nice to say, Hey, I don’t have to be perfect to lose this weight. It’s not a stringent diet plan; it’s just sussing out what causes me misery and what I can enjoy. If I have corn chips once a week, then woohoo! Thankfully, I’m not allergic to corn.
Congratulations Jamie! You are truly an inspiration!
I’ve been on low carb a little over a year and have lost 80+. My original goal was 80 but now I think I’d like to lose another 15-20. It’s coming off very s.. l ..o ..w.. l ..y.. now which is killing me, but your website, recipes and words of encouragement are just the things we need to stay on track!
Thank you so much for all you do, and keep up the great work!
Way to go to you and your amazing 80+ pound loss! Woohoo! I am just glad to help out!
NEVER!! You are a beautiful person. We’ve seen your soul, and it’s mavelous.. The rest of you won’t compare. I sure wish I was your neighbor. I’d be one willing taste tester for all these mad scientist creations of yours. 🙂
I appreciate that very much! I do torment my friends with a lot of taste testing, for sure.
Congrats! Also, thanks for posting a link for the new challenge. i didn’t realize there was one going on (not that I’ve taken the time to look really). I’m doing things my way too when it comes to losing weight. I’m doing low carb, but I’m not being extreme about it. I’ve actually gotten into a groove and realize this can be a lifestyle. No gain or loss this past week. Damn those poptarts!
That sounds like a wheat intolerance issue, for sure. So glad you joined, Amber.
Hey I just recently found your blog so I have some catching up to do on your story, but congrats on the amazing loss and for doing it “your” way, I think that the most important thing about weight loss, eating healthy and lifestyle changes, if you try to do it someone else’s way it likely won’t work for you, finding what fits you is key. Great work! you are an inspiration!!!
Thanks so much! I am definitely learning so many new things about myself all the time–that makes this really worth it, too.
Huge cymbal crashing congratulations on your loss!! You are a delightful inspiration to all of us imperfect chubby minxes!
awesome maybe there’s hope for me yet
amazing!!!!!!!!!!!! period.
Congrats!!!! Sounds like you’re really in your groove and your body is thanking you! Your story is encouraging (yep, ready your update in the QFAs). I tend to eat South Beach style (it worked well for me before…but then I had another baby and left the maintenance stage of my healthy lifestyle), and have found that low carb with veggies and protein and limited fats works well for me. I started moving towards my new healthier lifestyle on January 6 and am down 25.25 pounds as of today. I include limited exercise because of the activity goals I have, but as a working mom with 3 young children and a hubby who is out of town 4 days a week I tend to get busy with day to day activities. Your blog is great, and I’m enjoying the recipes. It’s so much easier to live healthier when you’re not doing it along – AND when it’s not boring! Love your humor! And hey, laughing burns calories!! BONUS!!! Thanks!
How wonderful! I am still a newbie to your blog, but I have enjoyed your recipes. Two and a half months ago I had an endoscopy and found ulcers and a hiatal hernia. I told myself I wanted to lose 30 pounds when I went back 3 months later for the follow up endoscopy. I have lost 25 pounds with a couple of weeks to go! So thanks to your story on this blog! You have made my journey much easier! Best of luck to you and the rest of us as we continue! 🙂
Proud of you, it is so nice when your efforts bring fantastic results. Love your site and your clever ways.
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to Go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where are those Before and After Pictures? We want to see ’em and be visually blinded by your glorious progress!
Jamie, I haven’t delved into everything on your site since discovering you through Pinterest a little while ago, but you just have a way of writing that makes a person feel like they know you. Thank you for sharing all that you do. When I read your news, I just wanted to give you a big hug and tell you how happy I am for you! AWESOME JOB!!!!
I raise my diet pepsi in a toast to you.
Sue
Thanks so much! I raise my caffeinated beverage to you as well. Huzzah!
Amazing, wonderful, fabulous and so much more. That is remarkable results. You do so many new recipes and test I can hardly believe this. You have done extremely well. I guess you have found what works best for you. *smiles*
I’m still in plodding mode but that’s OK for the moment. We’re off to Hawaii for 4 weeks. I’m going to enjoy the food but stay mostly LCHF
Blessings
Margie–The recipes are easy to lose weight with; I just stick to single portions when possible, freeze what I can’t eat, or give it away. If it’s a serious temptation, I’m not afraid to throw it out, too. I am really proud of you and know you’re going to be amazing for Hawaii!
Congrats 🙂 You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes.
Pennie
Thank you so much!
90 Pounds is really a good track record. And this all with without any diet pills or supplements. The best way to lose weight is to keep track of the calories intake; it will make you more conscious while overeating.
Hi, Liam! the best way for many of us is to track carbohydrates, which regulate insulin. the calories are the secondary factor.
yup carbs first calories second or not at all!!
Congratulations, Jamie! Your weight loss has been a boon for the rest of us, too–so many delicious recipes!
Thank you so much, Kathy! I appreciate it.
I have no doubt you will reach your goal as if 90 isn’t grand enough. Your recipes and insights keep me close to goal. Thank you for your leadership.
I am so glad I can be a part of such an amazing community of supportive people. We’re always there for each other, no matter what–and it’s wonderful, especially when there’s failure…or in this case, success! lol
Congrats on your loss Jamie! I’ve lost 65 pounds so far, with some more to go. It’s definitely taken weight off my aching joints. I can’t imagine how bad my hips would be if I still had that weight on. I raise a glass of wine to our successes!
I’m raising mine to your success, too! woohoo! I am so happy for both you and your hips! Work it, little mama.
Jamie, you’ve really inspired me. I’ve been low carb since May of last year, and loving it. But the weight loss stalled a few months ago, after an initial loss of 35 pounds, and I’ve been getting very discouraged. I just added my name for the challenge … better late than never!
Wow congratulations 90#s in 6 months. It has taken me 8 to lose 15#s. I’m so happy I ran across your blog today through SparkPeople friend. I had not given any of this thought until my sparkfriend wrote some information on her blog. I will be browsing and learning through your blog today. I’m not the type to cook but I think I may have to wrap my brain around trying these recipes and changing – I would love to see pounds loss any month. Thank you and again congratulations.
Hi, Vanessa! It is so nice to meet you. Definitely check some of my recipes out! Most of them are super-low carb, and I only started cooking a couple of years ago–at the age of 37. It’s never too late to make a little kitchen magic!
90 pounts!! Fabulous! I’m spending forever losing the 15 I’ve gained back while “maintaining”. LOVE your site, your recipes, and your diligence!!!!
Thank you so much for your support! You will lose that 15 in no time.
Congratulations! I’m on day six of low-carb and in need of some variations, so glad to have found you! Oopsie burger for me tonight! Onwards and forwards.
Love this — all your inspiration continues!
Well done on losing 90 pounds! That’s amazing and inspirational. During the Winter I tend to pile on the pounds. But reading your post has inspired me to get my act together. At the moment I’m fasting one day a week (500 calories) and 1500 calories for the rest of the week. The fast day is surprising easily to do, especially with your recipes!
I have been doing healthy eating and excercising for the past three months but have seen no improvements. You are an inspiration as i was on my way to giving up for the 100th time in my lifetime.
Keep on keeping on! You can do this! Honestly, you don’t have to be perfect. Just keep going.
Yaaaayyy!! You go GIRL!
I’m down 20lbs since the beginning of february by keeping my carbs under 30 a day which is really very easy once grain and sugar are out of the picture. I’ve really been enjoying your recipes and I eat frying cheese probably 2x/wk now…. soooooo yummmmmy.. it makes me look like this —-> 😀
Way to go on your losses! You are really working it.
You are a rock star- congratulations!!!! I have to tell you – I absolutely LOVE your sausage swiss chard casserole and the bechamel sauce is divine!! Yesterday I made the cauliflower breadsticks and tonight it’s all about a cauliflower pizza – life changing!! Thanks for the great recipes!
Thanks so much, Lisa. It means so much to know I’m able to be helpful.
Congrats, Cleochatra! I haven’t visited your site(s) in a while, but I am so thrilled to hear you’ve been having success. I think the last few times I read something you posted, you were growing frustrated. Something told me to re-visit you, and voila, all that hard work has finally paid off!
I just wonder if you’re still into your book group, if you’re pushing to publish that cookbook I’ve asked about in the past, and how far you’ve come on that great American novel I know you’ve got to be writing in the 30 minutes of free time you have each week.
Hi there! I haven’t even had time to consider a book these days; I’ve been so busy with kids and life in general. I love your suggestion, and thanks so much for your encouragement!
I love it! This is the first I’ve seen of your blogs. The idea of a food lifestyle change inspires me! This is a great way to get healthy without missing out on the foods you love. I particularly like the sense of encouragement and fun that you offer along side your challenges! Congrats on your personal success!
There are some amazing recipes that I can’t wait to try!
Hi, Sonja! Thanks so much for your support and positivity! I am still losing, and it’s so cool, because I’m doing it with the recipes you’re seeing here on the site. I am very blessed.